Article separating device



1963 J. E. A. BLANCHET 3,1

ARTICLE SEPARATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 31, 1962 5 She ets-Sheet 1 JOSEPH E. A.BLANCHET ATTORNEY INVENTOR.

Dec. 17, 1963 .1. E. A. BLANCHET ARTICLE SEPARATING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1962 Dec. 17, 1963 J. E. A. BLANCHET 3,114,198

ARTICLE SEPARATING DEVICE BY 7m ATTORNEY INVENTOR:

JOSE-PH E. A. BLANCHET J. E. A. BLANCHET 3,114,198 ARTICLE SEPARATING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 LANCHET.

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ARTICLE SEPARATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 31, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent ()fiice 3,114,198 ARTICLE SEEARATING DEVICE Joseph E. A. Blanchet, Mystic, Conn, assignor to Souoco Products Company, Hartsville, S.C., a corporation of South Carolina Filed Dec. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 248,511 8 Claims. (ill. 29-20%) This invention relates to an article separating device and more particularly to a device for separating a plurality of similar articles into a predetermined arrangement.

In the winding of ribbon material such as tape, particularly adhesive coated tape, the common practice is to provide a tubular carrier or core on which the tape is wound. As the packaged tape is a relatively inexpensive item, it is necessary for reasons of economy to utilize tape cores of low cost and tape cores composed of paper are widely used throughout the industry. As is well known, these tape cores are relatively short lengths of paper tubes and are generally obtained by severing an elongated wound paper tube commonly referred to as a parent tube into a plurality of substantially identical sections which form the cores.

Under present day production practices, a plurality of such paper cores are wound simultaneously with tape. This tape winding is generally accomplished by unwinding a wide web of adhesive coated tape material such as a plastic film coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive and severing this parent web into a plurality of tapes of the desired width. All of the tapes thus formed are advanced together and-wound simultaneously onto a plurality of cores suitably supported for the wind-up operation.

In one tape winding machine in widespread use today, a tape winding technique commonly referred to as a stagger wind is employed wherein a plurality of tape cores are supported on a pair of rotatable takeup mandrels with the tape cores arranged in coaxially spaced relationship. The slit tapes from the parent web is fed alternately to the two banks of cores in a staggered relationship whereupon all of the cores on both mandrels are wound simultaneously with tape.

For the proper winding of the tapes onto the cores supported on the two takeup mandrels, it is necessary that all of the cores be of substantially the same outer diameter as any variation in outside diameter would produce a variation in the speed of tape advance between the various cores. Since the parent web is unwound at a predetermined speed, inferior winding of the tape on some of the cores would result due to the difference in winding tension on the various tapes resulting from differing core outer diameters.

To overcome this tape winding deficiency, it has been proposed that all of the tape cores used on the pair of takeup mandrels in a winding operation be selected from the same parent tube so that substantially the same outside diameter is obtained throughout all of the cores. It can be easily seen that the separation of the severed tube lengths or sections from a parent tube into a properly spaced relationship on the pair of takeup m-andrels is a time consuming and expensive operation which does not lend itself to the high speed production rates required in present day industrial practices.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel separating device for a plurality of substantially identical tubular articles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel separating device for positioning a plurality of tube lengths or sections severed from a parent tube in a predetermined spaced relationship.

- Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel separating device for automatically conveying tube lengths or sections severed from a parent tube supported on a cutting mandrel into two groups spaced in a predetermined relationship.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novel separating device for quickly and easily separating tube lengths or sections severed from a parent tube as they are stripped from a cutting mandrel into two groups wherein the tube sections are positioned in a predetermined manner for receipt therethrough of a windup mandrel, which device is extremely simple and inexpensivein construction, requires no moving parts and which requires virtually no skill on the part of the operator.

A still further object of the invention is a provision of a new and novel separating device for tube lengths or sections severed from a parent tube which permits a plurality of such tube sections to be positioned intwo groups on a winding machine for simultaneous winding of tapes thereon at a uniform tension throughout both groups.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hecome apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The objects stated above this invention are accomplished by providing a pair of substantially parallel laterally spaced support members each arranged to receive and position a plurality of tube sections 01 cores cut from a parent tube in a uniformly spaced coaxial relationship so as to permit the insertion of a windup mandrel through each group of cores. Inclined means are positioned intermediate these spaced support members which convey by gravity tube sections successively stripped from their supporting means alternately into the support members so that the tube sections are positioned in a uniformly spaced coaxial relationship. Means are also provided on the separating device for stripping the tube sections from the parent tube supporting means.

The novel features which are believed to be character istic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the separating device of the invention illustrating its operation;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of the device of FIG- URE 1 taken substantially in the direction of the arrow 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is another perspective view of the device of the invention illustrating its operation;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged end view of the device of the invention illustrating its operation;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged side view broken away of the device of the invention illustrating its operation;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged plan view broken away of the device of the invention illustrating its operation;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the device of the invention illustrating its operation; and 1 FEGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIGURE 4 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIGURE 1 in particular, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a separating device constructed in accordance with the invention and designated generally by the numeral 11. As shown, the separating device 11 is preferably positioned at a suitable operating level on a suitable support such as a stand 12 or the like. The separating device 11 is arranged to be used in combination with elongated tube supporting means such as a mandrel 13.

Patented Dec. 17, 1963.

and other related objects in the accompanying drawing in which:

The mandrel 13 is of the type generally referred to as a cutoff mandrel on which is positioned a parent tube preferably a multi-ply wound paper tube which when the mandrel carrying the tube is positioned in a suitable cutting device is severed into a plurality of tube lengths or sections C of substantially the same length. After severing, the sections C remain on the mandrel 13 in coaxial abutting relationship. As is well known, the short tube lengths or sections C are of the type which are suitable for use as cores in the winding of ribbon material such as tape and in particular adhesive coated film tape.

As shown best in FIGURES 4, 7, the separating device 11 includes a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced support members or troughs l6, 17 for receiving and positioning a plurality of tube sections or cores C, C respectively in longitudinally spaced coaxial relationship. In the spech'ic embodiment illustrated, the troughs 16, 17 are formed using an inverted beam 18 L-shaped in cross-section to the surfaces of which are secured by suitable means such as bolts 16 or the like elongated L- shaped brackets 21, 22 respectively.

Means are provided within each of the troughs 16, 17 for receiving and positioning the cores C, C in a uniformly spaced coaxial relationship. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the troughs i6, 17 are provided with side rails 23, 24 suitably secured to the upper edge of the brackets 21, 22 having spaced blocks as, 27 secured thereto as shown respectively. Spacers 28, 29 are also secured by suitable means such as screws or the like to the upper surfaces of the L-beam 13 and inserts 25, 3b are suitably secured to the inner faces of brackets 21, 22 within troughs 16, 17 respectively as shown. The blocks 26, 27, spacers 28, 25 and inserts 25, 3b are suitably spaced so as to form sockets in the troughs for the reception and positioning of the cores C, C.

Means are also provided for adjusting the sockets for coaxial alignment of the cores C, C which in the specific embodiment illustrated include adjusting screws 31, 32 extending as shown through the side rails 23, 24 and which engage the side walls of cores C, C respectively.

Inclined means are positioned intermediate the troughs 16, 17 for conveying the tube sections C alternately in oppositely inclined directions to position the tube sections as represented by sections C, C". More specifically, a plurality of ramps 33, 34 are secured by suitable means such as bolts or the like within suitably provided grooves in the upper surfaces of the beam 18 within the troughs 16, 17 and extend within the troughs between the spacers 28, 29 respectively.

The ramps 33, 34 are of a width substantially identicalto the width of tube sections C and extend upwardly in an X formation having a point of intersection defined by the corner 36 of beam 23. The ramps 33, 3-; thus form an upwardly opening V-shaped recess 3? for receiving the tube sections C carried by the mandrel 13 with the outer surfaces of each of the tube sections C in contact with the upper surface of corresponding ramps 33, 34. Guide means are preferably provided for the ramps 33, 34 which as shown compriseV-shaped side panels 38, 39 suitably secured by means such as screws or the like to the upper and lower portions of adjacent ramps thereby forming side walls for each of the ramps.

Means are provided for stripping the tube sections C from the mandrel 13 which in the specific embodiment illustrated comprise a yoke 41 having an upwardly extending recess 42 as shown best in FXGURE 2 which recess corresponds generally to the circular shape of the mandrel 13. The yoke 41 is secured by means of an L- shaped bracket 43 to the upper surfaces of the angle beam 18 adjacent one end of the row of ramps 33, 34 and in alignment with the ramp recess 37. A mandrel support 44 is also preferably provided on the separating device 11 which comprises a pair of upwardly extending rods 46, 47 secured by means of a bracket 48 to the angle beam 18 adjacent one end.

In order to avoid any failure of the tube sections C to seat within the sockets of troughs 16, 17, means are provided for propelling the tube sections C as they are 13 downwardly 52suitably positioned by press fitting or the like within one end as shown in FIGURE 8. The end cap 52 is provided with a recess 53 in which is suitably secured spring means such as a yieldable spring finger 54. The spring finger 54 is provided with a head 56 and, in the relaxed condition, the head 56 extends slightly radially outward from the outer surface of the mandrel 13 but moves yieldingly inward as permitted by the recess 53 when the tube sections C move thereover. sections C move off the end of the mandrel as shown in FIGURE 8 and are released by the mandrel, the spring finger 54 moves radially outward urging the tube sections C radially outwardly and downward.

In the operation of the invention, the mandrel 13, carrying a plurality of tubesections C which have been formed as described above by severing a parent tube in any well known manner, is placed in the V-shaped recess 37 with the one end of the row of abutting tube sections C in engagement with the stripping yoke 41 as shown in FIG- URE 1. It should be understood that any number of tube sections C may be processed with the separating device of the invention up to a maximum of the total number of ramps 33, 34. The tube section C on the mandrel 13 at one end is thus automatically positioned in alignment with the ramp nearest the stripping yoke 41 with the remaining tube sections C positioned in vertical alignment with each of the corresponding ramps 33, 34. The operator then withdraws the mandrel 13 so that one by one the tube sections C fall off the end of the mandrel and are propelled radially downward by the head 56 of the spring finger 54 alternately in opposite directions as determined by the inclined ramps 33, 34. The ramps 33, 34 aided by the side panels 38, 39 guidably permit the tube sections to roll downwardly under the action of gravity into the corresponding sockets at the bottom of the ramp within the troughs 16, 17. When all of the tube sections C have been stripped from the mandrel 13, all of the sections C in trough 16 and all of the sections 0'' in trough 17 are positioned in uniformly spaced coaxial relationship. A windup mandrel (not shown) may then be inserted through all of the tube sections C and C" and the two mandrels containing the cores are lifted out of the troughs 16, 17 and placed in a predetermined position on a tape core winding apparatus for a stagger wind operation.

With the novel construction of this invention, there has been provided a device for separating a plurality of tube sections cut from a parent tube into groups so that a windup mandrel can be easily inserted through each of said groups and positioned on atape winding machine for simultaneously winding all of the tape sections or cores with tape in a stagger wind operation. By means of the simple and inexpensive device of the invention which may be easily operated by an unskilled operator, all of the tube cores taken from a parent tube are separated quickly and since all of the separated cores have the same outside diameter as a result of being taken from the same parent tube, all of the tapes wound on the two groups of cores are under uniform tension so that properly wound tape packages are obtained. An unusual feature of this invention is its simplicity and use of only a few parts none of which move which permit the device to be used with presently existing tube-cutting and tape winding apparatus without modification. Not only is the separating device of the invention low in cost but it enables a substantial increase in production rate of tape wound on cores over the arrangements of present day practices.

While there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention,

As the tube it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variout changes and modifications may be made therein without departing rom the invention and, therefore, it is the aim of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A separating device for a plurality of tube sections arranged in coaxial relationship on elongated supporting means comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced support members for receiving and positioning said tube sections in uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship, means for successively stripping said tube sections from said supporting means, and inclined means positioned intermediate said spaced support members for conveying successively stripped tube sections alternately into said support members wherein said tube sections are positioned in said uniformly spaced coaxial relationship.

2. A separating device for a plurality of tube sections arranged in coaxial relationship on elongated supporting means comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced support members for receiving and positioning said tube sections in uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship, means for successively stripping said tube sections from said supporting means, a plurality of ramps positioned intermediate said spaced support members and arranged alternately in oppositely inclined directions for conveying said successively stripped tube sections alternately into said support members to position said tube sections in said uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship.

3. A separating device for a plurality of tube sections arranged in coaxial relationship on elongated supporting means comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced support members for receiving and positioning said tube sections in uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship, means for successively stripping said tube sectionsfrom said supporting means, a plurality of ramps positioned intermediate said spaced support members and arranged alternately in oppositely inclined directions for conveying successively stripped tube sections alternately into said support members, said ramps extending upwardly from their line of intersection to form a V-shaped recess for receiving said tube sections carried on said supporting means, said ramps permitting said successively stripped tube sections to move by gravity downwardly into said support members whereby said tube sections are positioned in said uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship.

4. A separating device for a plurality of tube sections arranged in coaxial relationship on elongated supporting means comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced trough members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets in said trough members for receiving and positioning said tube sections in uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship, means for successively stripping said tube sections from said supporting means, a plurality of ramps positioned intermediate said spaced troughs and arranged alternately in oppositely inclined directions for conveying successively stripped tube sections alternately into the sockets in said trough, said ramps extending upwardly from their line of intersection to form a V-shaped recess for receiving said tube sections carried on said supporting means, said ramps permitting said successively stripped tube sections to move by gravity downwardly into the corresponding sockets in said troughs whereby said tube sections are positioned in said uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship.

5. A separating device for a plurality of tube sections arranged in coaxial relationship on a cylindrical mandrel comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced trough members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets in said trough members for receiving and positionin said tube sections in uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship, a bracket associated with said trough members engageable with said tube sections to permit withdrawal of said mandrel and successively strip said tube sections from said mandrel, a pluralityof ramps positioned intermediate said spaced troughs and arranged alternately in oppositely inclined directions for conveying successively stripped tube sections alternately into the sockets in said troughs, said ramps having upper portions forming a V-shaped recess for receiving said tube sections carried on said supporting means, said ramps having a Width substantially identical to the width of said tube sections and having wall panels secured thereto to form walls for said ramps, said ramps permitting said successively stripped tube sections to move by gravity downward into the corresponding sockets in said troughs whereby said tube sections are positioned in said uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship.

6. A separating device in accordance with claim 5 including means on said troughs for adjusting the position of each of said sockets for coaxially aligning said positioned tube sections.

7. A separating device for a plurality of tube sections comprising, in combination, means for supporting a plurality of tube sections in coaxial relationship, a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced support members for receiving and positioning said tube sections in uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship, means for successively stripping said tube sections from said supporting means, and inclined means associated with said spaced support members for conveying said successively stripped tube sections alternately into said support members to position said tube sections in said uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship.

8. A separating device for a plurality of tube sections comprising, in combination, an elongated mandrel for supporting a plurality of tube sections arranged in coaxial relationship, yieldable spring means at one end of said mandrel for urging a tube section radially outward as said tube section is stripped from said mandrel, a pair of substantially parallel, laterally spaced trough members for receiving and positioning said tube sections in uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship, means for successively stripping said tube sections from said supporting means, a plurality of ramps positioned intermediate said spaced support members and arranged alternately in oppositely inclined directions for conveying successively stripped tube sections alternately into said support members, said ramps extending upwardly from their line of intersection to form a V-shaped recess for receiving said tube sections carried on said mandrel, said ramps permitting said tube sections successively stripped from the end of said mandrel to be propelled by said spring means and under the action of gravity downwardly into said support members wherein said tube sections are positioned in said uniformly spaced, coaxial relationship.

No references cited. 

1. A SEPARATING DEVICE FOR A PLURALITY OF TUBE SECTIONS ARRANGED IN COAXIAL RELATIONSHIP ON ELONGATED SUPPORTING MEANS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, LATERALLY SPACED SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR RECEIVING AND POSITIONING SAID TUBE SECTIONS IN UNIFORMLY SPACED, COAXIAL RELATIONSHIP, MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY STRIPPING SAID TUBE SECTIONS FROM SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, AND INCLINED 